Downtown–in the charming city of Elkhart–there is a small, wellness business whose motto says it all: A HOT destination for a cooler YOU.
TOXXLAB, located across from the Lerner Theatre, offers infrared sweat therapy, total-body compressions, home goods, and athleisure wear. So much about the experience in a health studio can be rejuvenating from recovery assistance, calorie burn, higher sleep quality, lower stress levels, and numerous skin benefits. In fact, sweating is very beneficial to all aspects of one’s being. It is proven that regular use of infrared sweat therapy can even elongate a person’s lifespan.
According to the National Library of Medicine, there is a positive correlation between frequent sauna use and reduced heart complications. “The risk of CVD [cardiovascular disease] mortality decreased linearly with increasing sauna sessions per week with no threshold effect.” To that point, many athletes utilize sauna sessions for recovery, but some–mostly wrestlers–use infrared sweat therapy for a healthier method of weight cutting. News-Medical, a global online outlet for medical information, reaches athletes of all kinds with data aimed at ensuring proper recovery. “The results showed that infrared sauna exposure helped prevent decline in jump performance, reduced muscle soreness, and improved perceived recovery.”
All too often, however, resources such as TOXXLAB are located exclusively in larger cities. Yet, this company purposefully chose to set up shop in Elkhart. “I fell in love with this protocol used by many of my celebrity clients while living in Los Angeles and decided to share the power of sweating and detox where there isn’t access to those typical protocols,” states owner Tyler Yoder. Originally from Elkhart County, Yoder is delighted to return home but also wants to branch out in the Midwest. “Our expansion plan includes several locations in Chicago, as well as in the Michiana region,” Yoder explains. “We look to open more locations in the coming months.”
When not sweating it out at TOXXLAB, Yoder returns to his other passion. “Outside of this, I am a talent and model agent that actively works in the fashion and entertainment industry. With roots in Elkhart,” he continues, “I wanted to expand access to protocols that are so effective for our mind, body, and soul.” Residents here need to remember how important it is to make the community more vibrant, stable, and self-reliant by shopping at small, local businesses. Supporting these businesses creates community character and innovation, as well as helping rejuvenate a sickly economy. Local sourcing is important; it’s much easier to trust a company of people living similarly to its residents. People need to explore the unique experiences right in their own backyard.
Make 2026 the year to prioritize “self.” Often times, people lose sight of how important it is to take care of one’s self and one’s body. Detoxification is all about ridding the body of unhealthy substances–taking small steps to move toward a healthy, clean start.
So, start small by shopping small, benefitting one’s self and the local economy. Check out the TOXXLAB in downtown Elkhart to begin exploring a healthier lifestyle.
